Jack's Oyster House is iconic, in terms of longevity, service, food, ambience and decor, raw bar ... so many things. I am a senior citizen and have been a patron of Jack's for decades. Imagine our surprise, then, when the best rating we can give it now is a 3! The good news: the service on my birthday Saturday was exemplary! Personable, knowledgeable and efficient. The oyster bar was pricey but excellent! Likewise, the desserts were spectacular as well, as were the cocktails. The bad news: The main courses for both of us were, at best, inconsistent. Two very different meals with similar problems: both the scallop and the sausage/gnocchi entrees were completely undercooked, rendering them all but inedible. Raw in the centers of both, which also resulted in digestive problems for both of us. Risotto also undercooked, with the rice and the pasta of both dishes not even al dente. Again, nearly raw. Unacceptable. A $250 meal that would have been expensive at half the price, and 'fine dining?' Not even close. We expected better food, even though the service and ambiance beyond reproach. Not sure if we'll return. It IS all about taste, ultimately, and Jack's did not deliver on taste or preparation! Sorry! read more

My final night in Albany while attending a conference saw me standing on a corner of Eagle and State determining whether to go left a few blocks to Dove & Deer or right to Jack's. Neither place I had been to (this was only my third time to Albany and first in almost 30 years since I went to Skidmore for two years). The thought of oysters apparently made me go with option B. Walking the few blocks to Jack's from the Renaissance Hotel was a good decision. Sarah, who was the bartender at the small side bar, was lovely, serving me cocktails as I enjoyed $1 oysters (they are $1 all day Monday through Saturday), fried oysters, and lobster salad. She made me feel at home and I actually could unwind for the first time in a few days. The oysters were fresh and delectable. I think they were Blue Points. I didn't realize at first they had $1 oysters until I arrived, ordering first the fried oysters and lobster salad first. The fried oysters, by the way, were some of the best I ever tasted. The batter was delish and fried to golden brown perfection. I also liked the cool vinaigrette caddie that came with the oysters on the half shell, which apparently were 3D-printed. Very cool stuff. Besides the relaxing and fun vibes where I sat at the sidebar, I loved the interior with the old checkered floors and classy chandeliers. Being open since I think 1906, Jack's has been an institution that continues to deliver with the oysters. I could just eat that and be happy. read more

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It saddens me to have to give Jack's Oyster House, which reopened 10 days ago after being closed for several years, only two stars. However, our experience last night was disappointing on many levels. My hubs and I drove just under an hour each way to show our support for the new owner, Chef Brady Duhame, of what had been a historic favorite in downtown Albany, NY known for fresh seafood. I worked for the Hilton across the street and recall when Jack's was the renowned fine dining establishment where lobbyists gathered for their two martini lunches. And, of course, the oysters. Having been closed since 2022, we were delighted to see that they retained the restaurant's atmosphere, reminiscent of an era gone by with its black and white tiled floor, dark wood paneling, high ceilings, and vintage photos of Albany's past. We booked a Saturday night and I indicted that we were celebrating a special anniversary when I made our reservation a week or so ago. Unlike our previous years's dining experiences at Ruth Chris, Yono's and Black and Blue - all of which welcomed us warmly with a complimentary glass of champagne for our anniversary - there was no recognition of our special celebration. We arrived about 20 minutes early for our 7 p.m. reservation. In the ample dining room, there were perhaps three tables occupied. The hostess attempted to seat us at the booth by the kitchen door - the worst spot in the place as any experienced diner knows. When I politely requested another table - suggesting any of the many vacancies next to the window or among the line of tables for two along the far wall - she claimed that they were all reserved. Well, many of those tables remained unoccupied during our meal so you may draw your own conclusions. We were seated in the booth adjacent to the one next to the kitchen in an empty dining room. First mistake. Our server, Mollie, was chipper and friendly. Our drinks - a Cosmo ($18) and glass of Malbec ($14) - arrived in a reasonable amount of time. The Cosmo was mostly alcohol. They did not have Tito's, which was surprising, and offered Stoli. Uh, no thank you. I was hit with an up charge for Belvedere. An ice-cold ceramic bread basket was placed on the table. Like its container, the rolls were hard and cold and - in my opinion (yet denied) - tasted like store-bought, not fresh. This was mistake #2. We mentioned this to Mollie who brought over the manager, Tishon (sp?). We had a short, pleasant exchange with him and in a bit another ceramic basket with warm bread (3 rolls instead of 4) appeared. We were surprised that they did not have one of the Jack's stars that night - the Oyster Stew - a favorite which we had planned to order. You're an Oyster House and don't have Oyster Stew on a Saturday night? Hmmm ... #3. My hubs chose the $36 Carpetbagger appetizer. It was a winner. As was my Steak Tartare ($26). Both were ample portions that could be shared by two people. Surprisingly, seafood choices were limited. I had hoped for more than salmon and halibut. A 24 oz. Steak was $110.00 (!). My hubs had the chicken (juicy but basic with mashed potatoes and broccoli rabe for $36) and I ordered the Hand Made Tagliatelle ($34). I asked Mollie if it could be served without the chillies (which I explained my system cannot tolerate) and she said yes. It did arrive sans chillies however it was loaded with peas (not mentioned in the description) and the ham was spicy hot (confirmed by Tishon). My entree was taken away and, due to the fact that my hubs had eaten most of his chicken by now, I chose not to order a replacement. So, no entree for me! #4. Mollie and Tishon were apologetic during our entire experience. They get 4 stars for service. She said the chef offered complimentary desserts which we declined. When we received our bill, my entree was removed. However, we were charged $42 (!) for a dozen oysters that we did not order. Mollie said it was her mistake. Fortunately we caught the error (#5) and was told by Mollie that they were ordered by the adjacent table. Oops. We were advised that Chef Brady was not in house that night. This seemed odd to us being it was a Saturday night during the peak holiday season. Perhaps if he had been there, our dining experience would have been much better. Sorry folks but Jack's is just not ready for prime time. read more

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The food was excellent at the new reincarnation of Jacks. We were so glad that such a historic Albany restaurant could reopen. They also kept the charm of the old Jacks. First we had the new Jacks at the Albany food and wine festival, the cocktail was the sure winner there. Tonight's food was also excellent. I started with the Alice on State drink and it was delicious and very pretty. My entree was the chicken on brick, the whole plate was good but those mashed potatoes were the star. My husband enjoyed his dishes as well. We ended the night with the chocolate layer cake it was delicious, I wish I didn't devour it. Also I wanted to give a shout out to the servers. They were all friendly and very easily handled our table of 11. read more

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Amazing service by a friendly and attentive staff. Food is cooked to perfection, the drinks made professionally. The atmosphere is amazing. Love this place. read more

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Jack's Oyster House. One of the best meals I've had in a very long time. The oysters were fresh and shucked perfectly. Every dish had delicious, unique flavors. Our server, Elias, along with the entire staff were friendly and professional. Definitely worth the money. read more

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I am always leary of ordering seafood outside of New Orleans; however, I have to remind myself that we do not have the market cornered on seafood or good food. Jack's didn't disappoint on either. The seafood linguine was amazing. I wish I would have tried the oysters, but I was trying to not overeat, due to the time. After our server warmed up to us, he was on point. The hostess was very nice, she set the bar. So I'm happy the server caught up. read more

Went in for lunch. Dining room was empty. Ordered the pastrami sandwich from a kiosk, for $24. To my bewilderment, the sandwiches were already pre-made, wrapped in foil, and sitting under a warming light - like you'd find at a gas station rather than a place previously known for refined dining. Unsurprisingly, the pastrami was dry. Oh, Albany! read more

Maybe we expected the old Jack's quality so shame on us. It was not good. At all. I know the area is trying to revive itself but it has much to do before we visit again. Miss the good crab cakes that Jack's served, they were the best. read more

We went with no expectations. We had been to the "old" Jack's years ago. But the new Jack's was a totally different story! This meal was exceptional!! Starters were the Buratta Salad and the Octopus. Both were delish. The presentation was outstanding. The chef uses some chilies to accent the flavor of the octopus, not overpower it. Mains were the Duck, the Cavatelli, and the Salmon. All were amazing. Portions were perfect, presentation was nice. John, our waiter, was attentive and knowledgeable. The wine list was a bit thin on whites - an Albariño and a Vermentino would have been nice. read more

Just reopened and the food and staff are amazing! Went here for dinner and I'm so happy to see the doors open again :D

It was a boys weekend in upstate New York to attend the Baseball Hall of Fame induction for David Ortiz. Our weekend starts Saturday with a trip from our home state of Connecticut to Saratoga to lose our money on the horses. Saturday night we stay in the Albany area and try to find a good restaurant in downtown Albany. We chose Jack's because I'd known it as a classic from my youth growing up in Albany. Five of us arrived at our reservation time of 7:45 pm and were promptly seated. We were in a small room with about 3 tables outside the main dining room which felt like a waiting area. Considering we spent close to $1,000 that evening, I was hoping for a little more ambience rather than the coat room. Nonetheless, we ordered drinks and oysters. We were provided with a selection of oysters from New England, PEI, and the west coast. We ordered two dozen of the New England and PEI oysters. The oysters were fresh and excellent. For our main meals, we all ordered one or another of the beef entries. The main meals were all cooked to our liking. As mentioned in a number of the reviews, the pricing of the meals is not aligned with the portion. More like the City prices instead of downtown Albany. Where the meal stumbled was in the desert area. Saturday night and we were informed that they were out of the chocolate selection (as mentioned in other reviews, I am a chocolate fan and very disappointed if there isn't one on the menu or "sold out"). So I talked my buddy into trying the Baked Alaska (had a version of it recently in a restaurant in Hartford that was wonderful). We ended up sending the Baked Alaska back as big swing and miss. The meringue was supposed to be toasted but was burnt and neither of us could get the taste out of our mouth even after a strong IPA at a bar around the corner. All in all, it was just a meh experience. read more

Extremely overpriced for wildly small portions, and truly none of the "perks" of fine dining. Put simply - this experience was just NOT WORTH IT. Left feeling disappointed and still hungry after a $250 meal! No bread and butter served, you will receive a small portion of protein and 2tbsp of potato with one broccoli floret. Mmm. Everything from apps to entrees was ice cold. Go to Black & Blue if you want something fancy or even Savoy taproom for a better dining experience for much LESS!! read more

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I'm just a girl, sitting in front of a screen, trying to figure out how on earth to review the tasting menu at Jack's. My answer: very, very wordily. Buckle up, buttercups. Executive summary: Jack's feels like what would happen if you handed a skeleton crew of passionate young people the keys to an ancient restaurant and a menu from 1923, gave them a fairly limited budget, and said, "Do something with this!" The flaws in the experience felt like they came from understaffing and a lack of investment in the space itself. The highlights came from our excellent server, and some really outrageously delicious food whenever the chef veered away from the traditional stuff and got creative. Also, the tasting menu is a weirdly great value compared to ordering off of the regular menu, but fair warning: you'll end up stuffed like a goose. First: the service. It was warm and friendly as soon as we walked in, and everyone seemed genuinely excited when they found out that we'd booked the tasting menu. Our server Allie was an absolute delight throughout. That said, it felt as if there were about 5 people trying to run a large busy restaurant, with servers bussing their own tables, etc. -- not fine dining vibes. This obviously slowed down things a lot, and our 7 courses took a full three hours to get through. Second: the ambiance. Jack's is in a real stunner of a historic building, but it feels like no genuine effort has been put into sprucing up the place in a long time. There are definite "since the revolution this once-grand hotel has been run by loyal citizens of the People's Republic" vibes. My husband and I were sitting around discussing how we would redecorate. Aesthetics aside, the understaffing also meant that the place felt less spic-and-span than it should be -- the trashcan in the bathroom needed to be emptied, but which member of staff could possibly have the time to do it? The drinks: I ordered the "Life in Two" cocktail. I'm a huge snot about cocktails and can sometimes be seen whining on Yelp about weak cocktail programs at restaurants I otherwise like, but this was well-balanced, creative, and delicious. I would happily hang out at Jack's just for raw oysters and good cocktails. My husband had a glass of pinot grigio, which seemed fine. Course one: oyster trio. Possibly the weakest course of the night, and the most messily plated, with sad stray leaves of arugula strewn around. Everything was fine, but felt a bit phoned in -- though can much be done to make oysters Rockefeller exciting? This was the first of a few incidences where the more "traditional" dishes were the bigger letdowns of the night. Course two: the bison consume. This was visually lovely. The savoy custard was fantastic: beautiful texture and outrageously savory, like umami was a person and that person punched you in the mouth. The gold leaf, while pretty and nominally edible, was a bit texturally unpleasant for me: I'd just as well do without it. Course three: Salmon roe and shrimp toast. This one baffled me because it was so much more than the sum of its parts. How did they make what was essentially an open-face shrimp salad sandwich taste so good?? The shrimp were perfectly cooked, (nice and snappy) and the salmon roe was a perfect addition -- so many textural contrasts and bursts of flavor in each bite. Course four: wagyu tartar. This was ... fine? I enjoyed it, but it wasn't particularly mind-blowing. It was steak tartar! Course five: St. Coix Farms Pheasant. This is apparently brand new to the menu, and there was some miscommunication with the kitchen, so it was overdone to my taste and a bit dry (and also GIGANTIC: we brought most of it home). Delicious crispy skin, though, and overall tasty -- a smaller, more tender portion would have been great. Interlude: roasted peach and jasmine granita that wasn't on the menu. Huge ripe peach flavor, and a whiff of jasmine. I really enjoyed this. Course six: Morrocan elk Sirloin. When this unassuming plate appeared I thought it was going to taste like the beef dish you'd get at a wedding at a nice hotel (you know what I mean), but WOW, I was wrong. Truly meltingly tender, and wildly and mysteriously flavorful -- I actually turned it over trying to figure out where all of the flavor was coming from with no visible sauce (my conclusion: elves did it.). I'll dream about this. Course seven: desert -- pistachio gelato and a pandan-matcha-coconut-kiwi "cloud cake" that also wasn't on the menu. I was well and truly stuffed at this point but somehow managed to struggle through (pause for applause). The hibiscus meringue (magical pink flavor-clouds!) and almond praline that came with the gelato outshone the main event. The cloud cake had a whole bunch going on but was very fun in terms of both flavor and texture, if a bit on the sweet side. I would have ordered an espresso to go with dessert but might have exploded. I'm still full fifteen hours later. FIN. read more

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Wonderful and nostalgic, this downtown staple has an extremely professional staff and great atmosphere. I hadn't been here in a really long time and it had changed a bit. Very nice dining area and the staff extremely accommodating. They're very expensive but I don't feel my meal was up to par or at least worth what it cost. The presentation was quite fancy but the food was just ok. I got the stuffed lobster tail. It was lacking in flavor and wasn't worth the price tag. The wine was good! My dinner pal got the filet. He said it was good and cooked as requested but again, not worth the price tag! If you're looking for an upscale restaurant with great food, great service at decent prices in Albany, I'd skip this over priced place and head right to Grappa72! read more

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It's a 3 star rating, but barely. 2 1/2 would have been my selection if that had been a choice. Parking was free and plentiful on-street, but it was early on a rainy Thursday evening, this might very well be different then your experience on a Saturday night. We were seated promptly for our 5pm reservation.... mostly empty restaurant, so no surprise there. Our server came over shortly, introduced himself, brought menus and asked for drink orders. No issues here. Drinks arrived, yummy. Dinner order taken. Asked for bread, told some would come soon. Soups and one appetizer (Oysters Rockefeller) delivered. Other appetizer (shrimp cocktail) nowhere in sight. Eventually bread comes. No butter, have to ask for it. Now the main courses arrive. No problem, except we are still missing one appetizer.... and it's the one that doesn't need any cooking ! I question the server, suggest they maybe he'd bring the entrees back to the kitchen and bring us the appetizer and later the entrees... deer in headlights stare. Ok so we accept the entrees because some are now very hungry. I asked for a round of drinks on the house because of the screw-up. Again, blank stare. Man pay attention to the customer !! One entree is a big problem. One couple ordered the "cowboy steak" to share...... $66.... priced like a cowboy steak. However what showed up at the table was anything but. It was less than an inch thick (should be 2 1/2 - 3 inches thick) AND it was quite small in length and width. It was also sliced already.... we are guessing they did that to make it appear like more meat. This steak was probably half or less of the total weight a true cowboy steak should be. MAJOR PROBLEM. Eventually the shrimp cocktail comes, and they are GIGANTIC. Colossal shrimp no question about it. Very pleased. Ask for more bread. Again it takes a while (he explains it's made fresh, no issue) but AGAIN no butter. This dude just isn't catching on. Manager comes to check how things are.... so we fill him in. He explains they have 3 in the kitchen and ONE server, says there's 8 tables going.... we only see 4. Anyway, he says he understands and will do some magic on the check. Long story short (I know, too late) the manager helps out a bit with the check and we left feeling satisfied but a bit underwhelmed by the whole experience considering this place has been there for over 100 years. read more

What happened to this one time iconic beacon of class and culinary excellence?!? Full disclosure, haven't been here in ten plus years, but when my queen informs me she's never been, who am I to not take the cue and arrange for a beautiful night out with my lady??? We really were looking forward to heading down to Albany for a change and enjoying a special dining experience in legendary Jacks. Said, I can say with complete confidence, that was the last time for us, first for her, but last for both. We won't be back as there is no reason, but I have a suspicion Jacks won't live to see beyond 2022 without an infusion of life and passion for the business. The expectation at Jacks is ambiance on top of culinary excellence, and while the cuisine was OK, the ambiance crashed and burned so miserably, they earned the vaunted one star this Saturday night. I'll start with the food because, if we are being honest, entrees were good - the lobster cakes were an original treat, though the accompanying "root vegetable hash" was merely cubed potatoes, was still good. The Elk strips were excellent. Oddly enough, at a 7PM seating on a Saturday night, two of the appetizers were sold out...never mind the sparsely occupied restaurant...I suspect the menu was in place for days and some of the items gone accordingly. Oh, and you would think a Jacks Oyster House would have shrimp cocktail available, I mean Hell, I think Fridays does these days...but here, um, nope. Why one star you say? Let me begin - when you go to a dressy iconic restaurant, ambiance is a big, BIG, part of the experience. Were we expecting the equivalent to a boisterous and oft obnoxious party akin to a bachelorette party overwhelming the restaurant? Um, no. Was I expecting the availability of a proper wine list with available bottles, yes. Limited wines, by the glass? What is this, Gordon Biersch?!? Speaking of, in a proper restaurant, reds are served in a red glass, whites in a whites glass - not here at Gordon Jack's, you get the same undersized 99 cent glass for whites and reds! Yay how fun...Now I'm really feeling like I'm at Applebee's! Speaking of Applebee's- the aluminum silverware adds a touch of class I haven't seen since I ordered a riblet basket back in 1995. I knew Jacks was historic, but wasn't expecting a trip back to my first visit at Applebee's..... The desert, something called a Bombe, sounded pretty interesting, and almost salvaged a horribly bland night, until you chiseled into the chocolate covering to reveal a freezer burned ice cream they must have found hidden in the deep recesses of their freezer, and named it "the bombe"..... Embarrassing really. Lastly, I ordered a double expresso, fairly common after dinner drink, served in a lungo espresso glass in most restaurants offering espresso. At Jacks, dump two shots in a coffee mug and serve it up...sugar, nah, don't bother offering that, I mean, who would want it right? Anyway, be forewarned forget what you used to know of the old Jacks Oyster House - this is a horrible rendition that I expect to be gone in the near future. If they charged chain restaurant prices, OK, that's what you get, but entrees tickling $50 deserve the respect great cuisine is due, and here, it's a slap in the face. What a shame... read more

Stopped in at 11:30am on a Friday. I'm from LA and just assumed place would already be filling up but our party of 5 were the first to arrive for lunch service. We were attended to promptly and consistently throughout the meal. Three of our group ordered the steak salad - looked awesome. Two of us ordered the crab cakes. My app was their chowder. It had a curry back taste to it - different, but I liked it and cleaned out the cup! Crab cakes were quite tasty. One other reviewer said his were over cooked. Mine were perfect. Just the right amount of sauce. Overall, good business lunch. Nice, old world, restaurant with attentive service. Owner dropped by and said hello. Only downer was hand carts of food being rolled by our table. Not really an issue - just "odd". read more

Jack's Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

Probably the finest restaurant in Albany. Ambience, service, culinary technique, and execution. Go here if you have high standards or something to celebrate. read more

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Services was great! Our waitress was nice. However the food was not as great as expected. It was definitely overpriced. If you'd like to go for the service I'd say it would be great, food quality is meh (we ordered stuffed lobster tail and their classic steak). Steak was over cooked (we ordered medium rare) and almost mushy :( We went on a Monday night, maybe their food is better during weekends. read more

Jack's Oyster House - Classical Jack 's Classic Steak Diane Baked Stuffed Colossal Lobster Tail - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

Exquisite fine dining experience in a iconic historical building. Driving through to Syracuse and was looking for a place to stop after driving all day. Menu selection was well thought out. Food preparation was beautifully displayed. Mouth watering and delicious. I would really recommend this stop - The history behind this building is amazing read more

Jack's Oyster House - Dining - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

When you go to a fancy place and your server make you laugh in addition to alway being prompt, knowing the menu and going above & beyond to make sure you have an amazing time... that's when you know you've found a a jewel. Mind you... The fact that Jack's has been around for over a century must mean they're doing plenty right, beyond my review here... I'm just sayin' we had a great time a loved EVERYTHING!! Our server: Aline (uh-lean).. seriously, the best!! Suggestion: We made our own shot that you may want to try - Shot of Gray Goose - Dash of vinegar (from oyster plate) - Dash of hot sauce - Lemon squeeze - Oyster Mix in a martini glass Consume one of two ways 1 - Like a shot NOTE: This may require you to wipe off your chin (like i had to), cuz the oyster takes a little work to get out of the glass and into your mouth (tapping the glass on your mouth) while it's already full of vodka. * OOOOOR * 2 - Stir with the oyster on a little fork... then eat it... THEN do the shot. NOTE: This method allows you more freedom to sip your drink Search #MetroVentureALB on Instagram for a better taste of our entire Albany Experience. read more

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If you aren't eating at yours or someone else's home for Thanksgiving then you like to know that the quality of food and the service provided will not be disappointing. It is for that reason that we decided on Jack's Oyster House as the destination for the three of us. We had been there a few years ago for this holiday and were very impressed. We were promptly seated at our reserved table as soon as we arrived. Our warm and friendly server Megan informed us that she was working with Bill as a teammate and inquired about our drink order. Jack's apparently arranges with a local winery and brewery to allow them to put Jack's label on some of the products purchased from these providers. The Jack's Chardonnay ($9.99/glass) was from a North Fork, Long Island winery and the Jack's Pale Ale ($6.99) was from Saranac brewery. The large 7-Up ($2.99) was from wherever 7-Up is made. The chef's soup of the day ($4.99/cup), Mulligatawny, sounded interesting enough to try. The curry flavor was there, but it did not seem to have a lot of other flavors to excite us. Dinners came with a large salad of non-iceberg lettuce and other vegetables with a nice dressing that we never asked about to find out what it was. We also received a basket with two varieties of rolls. While eating dinner we noticed that other tables within sight had other breads besides the rolls in their basket. Our dinner choices were traditional Turkey ($24.99) with all the fixings, the Seared Diver Scallops ($31.99) with mashed potatoes and vegetables, and the Seafood Risotto ($34.99) with scallops and shrimp. The turkey dinner was considered quite good and satisfying by the person who ordered it. My wife said her diver scallops were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. She also remarked how good the mashed potatoes tasted. My risotto had the same scallops and I agreed with how good they were. My shrimp was a slightly different story. Two of the three shrimp had a less than pleasing flavor, as if they were not that fresh. But the third shrimp was perfect. I also expected the risotto to be more creamy. Two of us left enough room to try some dessert. The Chocolate Pie ($6.99) had a heavier filling consistency then we liked. The Pecan Pie ($6.99) was good, not too sweet and without that sticky corn syrup consistency. Three coffees ($2.59/each) were good flavored. Overall, there were a couple of slip-ups in service, like the basket of bread and not being offered the option of fresh ground pepper which we saw brought to each of the other tables. At a restaurant of this level you don't expect to have such gaffes. But we also recognized that the staff had been working all day by the time we arrived. I would consider our disappointments to be minor ones. I'd really like to go 3 1/2 stars. read more

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The food here is delicious. Our server, Leon was so welcoming, personable and timely. My grandmother and I came here before a show and it's conveniently located next to our hotel. We had the swordfish and filet mignon - both perfectly cooked. For dessert, crepe brûlée and bananas foster - yum! Would definitely come here again on our next trip to Albany! 5 stars all the way read more

Jack's Oyster House - Swordfish steak with lobster brandy over lobster risotto - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

What a wonderful way to celebrate the emergence from Covid and family in town. This place is a gem. Historic charm, vaulted ceilings, clubby interior. We are less than a year in to our relocation to Albany from Manhattan and it's all been during Covid. To enjoy, truly enjoy, a delicious and well served meal, inside, like grown up was a treat. When you come here, and you must, bring friends. It allows you to try more. We had about 80% of the menu including 3/4 desserts, right down to after dinner port. The service was impeccable ( Alex?), the timing of each course perfect and the food was outstanding. Perfect size portions that allows for trying many things as well as sharing and bringing home. The cacio e pepe that accompanied the Cornish hen (succulent) was entree size. You must get the oysters, we had both east (superbly dressed 3 ways) and west coast (raw). The only downside and this is a personal pet peeve, I like elegant stem and flatware... missed the mark there. Eat here, celebrate here, appreciate the great food scene we have in albany here. read more

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Not always perfect, but Jack's, I forgive you if it's not. Because you're not just another pretty restaurant. You're the setting for so many happy occasions, so many celebrations. Where else can you get a lovely meal, a birthday candle, a plastic ring(do you still do that?), and a dated Polaroid? Add to that an owner who remembers you- I call this "the innkeeper effect," and you've elevated the experience from a meal to a memory. The fact that my son suggested we lunch here for my birthday left me teary-eyed & verklempt. read more

Jack's Oyster House - High School graduation-2014 - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

I've been dining at Jack's Oyster House for a long time. When I worked in downtown Albany, my colleagues and I would frequent this fine establishment for lunch. One of my favorite lunch specials features two different types of fish. This always made me feel like I was feasting at a seafood buffet. If that was not available, you can never go wrong with their crab cakes. Most recently I enjoyed a dinner with consisting of filet mignon and a GIANT stuffed lobster tail. The steak was cooked to perfection - it was tender, flavorful and juicy. The lobster was sweet and plump. Everything was served nice and hot. The one thing I can say about this place is that they always serve ample portions with a nice presentation - something that I don't see often at fine dining restaurants. Something else that is worth noting is their delicious soups. The Manhattan clam chowder and lobster bisque are both excellent choices. In fact, I wish they had the same lunch special - both soups! The staff at Jack's is what really makes this place special. Brad always makes you feel very welcome and at home. It's nice to see him and his friendly smile. The wait staff is also wonderful - we had the pleasure of Jason's company last night and it is always good to see this young man. Dinner reservations are highly recommended, especially if there is an event at the TU center. If you have never experienced Jack's Oyster House, you really should give it a try. If I am ever in downtown Albany and get a chance to swing by an restaurant, it's always Jack's...because I know I will get the best. read more

Jack's Oyster House - Filet Mignon and massive Lobster Tail. I wonder what monster they got that tail from :) - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

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The name says it all, and the oysters were delish! I shared the 1/2 dozen oysters, french onion soup, crab martini and nicoise salad with a coworker. The oysters were super fresh - 5 stars. The french onion soup was tasty but odd. It had an interesting spice which gave it an earthy tone. They also used a combination of gruyere and parmesean cheese on top - 3 stars Crab martini - cool idea, fresh crab, decent remoulade, small for the price - 3.5 stars Nicoise salad - The waiter said they're salads were huge and definitely large enough to split as an entree. It was nice, light and fresh, but certainly not large. - 4 stars My other two coworkers got the seafood three ways special. Although the fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, the sauce included tasted like jello. It really ruined the flavor of the fish. - 2 stars The service was great, and the wine complemented our meal. I would return. I would definitely get the oysters again. read more

Jack's Oyster House - Crabmeat Martini - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

My friend and I were here for their happy hour Monday-Friday (4:30pm-6:30pm). I ordered the crab cakes and she ordered the filet mignon teriyaki tips. Both happy hour bite size orders were really filling. The filet mignon tips came with a couple cubes of steaks and the crab cakes came with two balls. The waiter/ bar tender was really helpful in choosing drinks and food. Overall a really great experience. I would recommend this place for the atmosphere and anyone on a budget. read more

Jack's Oyster House - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

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Excellent food and service ! Can't wait to make this a regular spot when I come to Albany. They are doing indoor seating and taking great precautions with COVID. The lobster bisque was to die for. Salad was okay, oysters were great and the scallops dish is a must. read more

Jack's Oyster House - Scallop risotto dish - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

We came in on Sunday evening after the Christmas tree lighting. My family comes here regularly so I'm surprised to see this is my first review. If I was just reviewing based off of this experience I would give 3 stars, however I am giving 4 because this experience wasn't really the norm. On Sunday, we came in as a group of 5 and Amber was our server. She was lovely and dealt well with my joking family. The reason for a low-star rating is because 1) the shrimp cocktail was awful. the shrimp were not deveined and were chewy and did not seem fresh. I had to scrape the "vein" out of my shrimp before consuming them. We had a dozen oysters shared between four of us and they were good however I was surprised that an Oyster House would only have one variety of oysters on any given day. I wish they were served with a vignette sauce or something acidic that was not cocktail sauce like. I did use the lemon but was craving the vinegar balance. I tried the Nantucket seafood chowder and it was tasty. I was surprised by the kitchen because I asked for the shrimp first and the chowder when everyone had their meals but instead they came one after the other in reverse order. I ended up eating lukewarm chowder before the entrees were served and then sat there while everyone else ate. Like I said, we have had fabulous meals here in the past otherwise I'd have only given three stars. read more

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I haven't been here in a few years because its pricey and parking can be tough. And I never could understand why they were called "Jack's Oyster House" when they have way more steaks on the menu than seafood. The meals start out with an organic field greens salad, lightly dressed and a variety of bread. For dinner I ordered the Seafood Bella Vista. The sauce was much better than I anticipated and they made the mussels (which are usually my least favorite part) enjoyable. The dish seemed to focus most on the Atlantic fish which I didn't care for, mainly because I like a mild tasting fish. The rest of the seafood is a little sparse. Half of a lobster tail, 1 jumbo shrimp, 1 giant scallop, and a few clams. My gf order the Steak and Shrimp Duet. The stuffed shrimp were HUGE and the stuffing was delicious. The steak was also at the top of her favorites list. The service before dinner was great and everything came out faster than I expected, but then fell apart after. We were done eating for quite awhile before our server returned. Then ordered dessert (Limoncello Tiramisu) which was a let down and took a long time to come out. Then another unnecessarily long wait for the bill, and then to pay the bill. It went from a 45 min. dinner to over an hour and a half. Luckily I didn't have anywhere to be. read more

Jack's Oyster House - Seafood Bella Vista - Seafood Near Me - Albany, New York

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Got there 30 minutes before posted closing as a single and was told they would not seat me.

Decided to have dinner at Jack's Oyster House, as the restaurants in the downtown area of Albany, NY are limited with respect to restaurants open in the business area. One of the first patrons in the restaurant, so prompting seated. Wait staff is very attentive, however, the food is less than desirable. Waiter served hot bread (very tasty), but the crab cakes were overcooked with too much sauce. While the waiter, offered to correct the issue, I declined the offer. The mashed potatoes and veggies were ok, but probably the hot bread was the best part of the dinner. I didn't order dessert, as I was not happy with my entree. Jack's, while one of the more upscale dining options is the area, is overpriced for the quality of food served. Next time I'm visiting Albany, NY, I won't be dining at this restaurant unless it's my last option. read more

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My last night in upstate NY and I saved the best for last. Jack's has been here for over 100 years and was closed only once for the current owner's grandfather funeral so the staff could attend. It was the fanciest eatery I've been to in a long time and was expensive. But so worth it I had a creamy chowder and it was delicious. Then a pair of crab cakes probably the best in my life then oysters which were out of this world Oh I now forget those bad ones I had in Lake George Meters are free after 5 weeknights free on weekends. read more

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My husband came for work, and not knowing I had gone previously, told me his meal was "perfect. He did say service was slow, but the food was great; so perhaps if nothing more, the place is inconsistent. read more

Excellent! I was visiting family in Albany and always wanted to try Jack's. It was Friday afternoon so the place was pretty empty. Ordered a Old Fashioned which was made very well. Started with the seafood chowder...WOW! That alone would've left me 100% satisfied. For my entree I ordered the codfish. Fresh wonderfully cooked and seasoned. The only negative would've been a little more of that delicious sauce they put over it. The inside of Jacks is like stepping back in time to old Albany. Very pleased and will certainly come back. read more

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Wednesday night not busy, waiter was not very engaging, rushed us to order entrees when we just got appetizers. Friends ordered Salmon, and risotto, I ordered Delmonico steak & wife ordered Sea Bass. 3 entrees came out to the table, Risotto was cold, my steak was cold, only meal hot was salmon. Wife's entrees took 8 minutes to come out of the kitchen. Waiter unconcerned with the fact that things came out haphazardly never apologized for any mishap that occurred. Sent steak back & shared meal with wife. If Jack's is classified as 'Fine Dining' then you have to redefine what Fine Dining is. Jack's does not qualify. Prices were high considering the lack of caring towards guests. Stay away from here at all costs. read more

Classy atmosphere and professional service are the big differentiators here from a more typical seafood shack experience. Jack's is a good place to bring people for interviews or to have business lunches or for special occasions where you want to pay a little more for the experience. While I haven't found any particularly innovative dishes here that make me want to go when it isn't on the company dime or suggested by a friend or spouse, there are some dishes I tend to order whenever I do go. I like their crab cakes and the Mango Chioptle Aioli dipping sauce they are served in as well as their, "Award Winning!" Nantucket Boat Chowder which is a new england style clam chowder with twelve types of shellfish and fresh fish. It is not a typical Boston style clam chowder and I recommend it if you'd like something authentically their's. Jack's is a historical fixture in Albany. It was founded in 1913 by an oyster shucker and has remained within the Rosenstein family ever since. There is plenty of historical info on the company's website if you are interested and I recommend giving it a read if you want to feel the sense of history associated with the place. I'd definitely recommend checking them out for yourself regardless of how many stars I give it. Personally, I am just not sure why I would go here over another seafood restaurant that was closer to where I live and so other than the history and the ambiance, I have not particular need to seek it out. Its nice, I am glad it is here and of historical import. Clearly it is doing something right to have been around for over 90 years and it is cool that it is a local, family run business. Those are all great reasons to continue supporting this place. I just haven't found any dishes that make me want to specifically seek this place out and that is, for me, probably the most important reason to seek out a restaurant. Were I looking to take someone on an interview, or have a business lunch, then yes, it'd be five star all the way but that isn't the perspective I am writing this review from. More from a, hey where do you want to go tonight for some good food honey?" sort of perspective. read more

It's well past it's prime. The meat was cooked correctly but came out cold. The menu listed a number of items that did not come with the meal. everything was average and for the price, it should have been much better. Down the road is 677 and it's much better at presentation, food rates, and delivery to the table. I shouldn't have to ask for salt and pepper or bread and butter.the oysters, bland and tasteless. The caviar was not up to standard. The restaurant itself was empty and devoid of life and dead. I think this place used to be something "back in the day" but that day has long since passed. read more